William Des Vœux Hamilton

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Vice-Admiral William Des Vœux Hamilton, Royal Navy (17 September, 1852 – 15 February, 1907) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 22 December, 1874.[1] On 26 May, 1878, he was gazetted for service with the Naval Brigade against the Keffirs at the Cape.[2]

Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Commander on 7 September, 1883.[3]

Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1889.[4]

He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Grafton in September 1895, remaining with her until May 1896. On 9 May, the German government thanked Hamilton and the officers and men of Grafton for their service in assisting the shipwrecked crew of the steamer Nespel.[5]

He was appointed in command of the battleship Ramillies on 10 November, 1896, and assumed command on 9 December. He was also appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, Sir John O. Hopkins.[6]

Hamilton was granted 31 days leave to England on 30 January, 1899 for "domestic affection".[7]

He was reappointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp, to King Edward VII, on 25 February, 1901.[8]

Flag Rank

Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 21 January, 1903, vice Jenkings.[9]

An appointment to be Second-in-Command on the China Station dated 1 May, 1905 was cancelled, as he was ill and unable to travel. Instead, he took a Signal Course in November, 1905, followed by a Gunnery and Torpedo Course and finally completed a War Course on 25 January, 1907.[10]

Hamilton was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 13 February, 1907, vice Powell.[11] He died just two days later, of heart failure precipitated by Mediterranean fever.[12]

Bibliography

  • "Obituary" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 16 February, 1907. Issue 38258, col F, p. 6.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Blake
3 Dec, 1891[13] – 4 Jun, 1894
Succeeded by
Arthur C. B. Bromley
Preceded by
?
Captain of H.M.S. Grafton
9 Jul, 1895[14][15] – 27 Apr, 1896[16]
Succeeded by
Edward P. Jones
Preceded by
Pelham Aldrich
Captain of H.M.S. Hawke
27 Apr, 1896[17] – 10 Nov, 1896[18]
Succeeded by
Sir Richard Poore, Bart.
Preceded by
William H. May
Captain of H.M.S. Ramillies
10 Nov, 1896[19] – 27 Jan, 1900[20]
Succeeded by
Robert S. Lowry
Preceded by
William H. May
Chief of Staff, Mediterranean Station
10 Nov, 1896[21]
Succeeded by
George F. King-Hall
Preceded by
William Wilson
Captain of H.M.S. Duke of Wellington
Apr, 1900[22]
Succeeded by
Henry D. Barry
Preceded by
?
Rear-Admiral on the Mediterranean Station
16 Nov, 1903[23] – 16 Nov, 1904[24]
Succeeded by
Sir Richard Poore, Bart.
 

Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 24165. p. 6363. 25 December, 1874.
  2. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 25269. p. 4509. 14 September, 1883.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 25969. p. 4738. 30 August, 1889.
  5. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  6. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 577.
  7. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 577.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 27289. p. 1417. 26 February, 1901.
  9. The London Gazette: no. 27518. p. 466. 23 January, 1903.
  10. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 27995. p. 1067. 15 February, 1907.
  12. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  13. The Navy List. (April, 1894). p. 202.
  14. "The Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), July 19, 1895, Issue 34633, p.14.
  15. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  16. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  17. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 577.
  18. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  19. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  20. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.
  21. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 577.
  22. The Navy List. (May, 1902). p. 249.
  23. The Navy List. (October, 1904). p. 267.
  24. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 585.